Food drive profile: Cris Carter interviews food shelf guest battling cancer
Editor’s note: We recently filmed Minnesota Vikings legend Cris Carter interviewing a Salvation Army food pantry guest named Teri Hansen about her battle with cancer. Together they reflected on how The Salvation Army helped both of their families and how The Salvation Army offers much more than food alone. Below is the touching video, along with a written account of Teri’s story.
Your donations to The Salvation Army’s Annual Food Drive in March help Minnesotans like Teri.
Teri is a typical suburban mother who never thought her family would need The Salvation Army’s help.
“I didn’t think The Salvation Army was for people like us,” admitted Teri, who lives in Brooklyn Park with her husband and has three kids, ages 12, 17 and 20.
Her mindset changed after she was diagnosed with cancer in 2021 and was forced to quit her job. Soon, bills began to pile up.
“We had to decide between paying the light bill or getting groceries,” Teri said.
In 2022, she gritted her teeth and stopped by her local Salvation Army for a box of food to feed her family. The experience left her astonished.
“I thought they would treat me like someone who didn’t deserve it,” Teri recalled. “I was wrong. They treated me like a human who needed help. They didn't judge.”
After that day, she returned every week. Soon, the staff began to recognize her.
“They would ask how I was doing and they would pray over me,” Teri said. “I kept coming back, and not just because of the food. Salvation Army food shelves are about more than food. They nourish your body and your soul.”
Teri later enrolled her daughter in the Brooklyn Park Salvation Army’s after-school and summer youth programs. Although her daughter has sometimes struggled to fit in at school, she has had no such problems at The Salvation Army.
“She felt loved and accepted,” Teri said. “The staff is so loving and understanding. It doesn’t matter who you are.”
Last year, doctors announced Teri’s cancer was in remission – but it returned recently. Thanks to your gifts, she and her family will continue relying on The Salvation Army for food and spiritual support as her battle continues.
The Brooklyn Park Salvation Army is home to one of 25 Salvation Army food pantries in Minnesota that – when combined with our local hot meal programs – provide an average of 8,100 daily meals for local families in need.
Keeping these food programs fully stocked is critically important: Nearly 1 in 5 Minnesota families now rely on food shelves to make ends meet. Additionally, a new study revealed that Minnesotans made nearly 9 million visits to food shelves in 2024 – shattering the all-time record of 7.5 million visits set in 2023.
You can help keep The Salvation Army’s food programs going strong by supporting The Salvation Army’s Annual Food Drive. Your generosity will be a blessing to thousands of Minnesotans like Teri and her family.
Support the Food Drive
You can support The Salvation Army’s Annual Food Drive by donating nonperishables, hosting a food drive, giving a cash donation, volunteering, or rounding up at Cub grocery stores.
Donate food in the Twin Cities by dropping off nonperishables such as pasta, peanut butter, and canned goods Feb. 28–March 22 at our Twin Cities partner locations below.
You can also bring food to the KARE 11 news studio, 8811 Olson Mem Hwy in Golden Valley, during a special weigh-in event on Wednesday, March 26 from 12–6 p.m. Throughout March, KARE 11 personalities will gather donations through their “Food Fight” food drive to support The Salvation Army.
Download a grocery list of high-demand and culturally-specific foods.
Donate food in greater Minnesota by dropping off nonperishable foods Feb. 28–March 31 at your local Salvation Army Worship & Service Center.
Donate online: Help us feed local families by giving online. Your donation will be used to purchase food for Salvation Army food pantries nearest to your billing ZIP code.
Round up at Cub: Shop at local Cub grocery stores in March and round your purchase up to support our food drive. Whether you give one penny or 99 cents, your small gift will have a big impact when combined with other Cub shoppers who choose to contribute.
Host a food drive: Collect nonperishable foods from friends, neighbors, coworkers, church members, and others. Drop off the food you collect at our partner locations or at KARE 11 (8811 Olson Mem Hwy, Golden Valley) during their special event on Wednesday, March 26, from 12–6 p.m. (Read about successful grassroots food drives from previous years.)
Volunteer: Do you have time to spare? Support our food drive by helping us unload delivery vehicles, weigh food, stock shelves, and more. Sign up to volunteer.